Take-Charge Jockeys Land Guild Senate Seats

Many of the jockeys who were instrumental in overthrowing the controversial management team at the Jockeys' Guild last fall and moving the organization in a new direction were re-elected to the organization's senate after the ballots were counted June 5.

In all, 27 seats on the senate were open. The tabulation of votes was held at the Louisville, Ky., offices of Stuedle, Spears & Francke, an independent accounting firm, and was open to the media.

Under a new format, the candidates for the senate fell into three geographic regions: Western (all states west of the Missouri River); Central (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio); and Eastern (the remaining states). Nine individuals were elected for each region; the Western region includes Quarter Horse riders.

Velazquez currently serves as chairman of the Guild, while Johnston is treasurer. They joined Albarado, Flores, Guidry, Luzzi, Migliore, Solis, and Velez as senate members who called for a special meeting last fall that led to the ouster of chief executive officer Dr. Wayne Gertmenian and his Matrix Capital Associates.

After the management change, the Guild was left to pick up the pieces from a financial and perception standpoint. The organization had been at odds with many industry stakeholders, though in the past six months the relationships have improved.

Guild representatives regularly meet with racetrack executives and others to discuss issues of common concern. The Guild remains in the red financially, however.

The first meeting of the new senate will be scheduled for later in June, Guild officials said. The senate must elect a new board of directors and officers, and also hire a national manager. The interim national manager is Darrell Haire.